Centro Ibn Gabirol - Colegio Estrella Toledano, Madrid

Founded in 1965 by the Jewish Community of Madrid (CJM), Centro Ibn Gabirol – Colegio Estrella Toledano serves as the cornerstone of Jewish education in Madrid. A charter school combining private and public funding, it offers an ambitious general studies curriculum enriched with Jewish values, Hebrew language, and a strong connection to the culture and land of Israel.

Since joining the ORT network in 2017, the School has continued to strengthen its academic program, integrating innovative teaching methods, technology, and multilingual learning environments. It is also part of the Educating for Impact and Yael Foundation networks. Academic excellence, bilingual proficiency, and the nurturing of responsible, open-minded citizens remain central to its mission. Students are encouraged to live their Jewish heritage with pride while engaging meaningfully with the world.

Name of School Centro Ibn Gabirol - Colegio Estrella Toledano
Location Madrid, Spain
Age range Kindergarten, Elementary, Junior High, High School
Students 378
Professionals 53

Curriculum & Academic Life

The School follows the Spanish national curriculum, with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme offered in the final two years. Students in 6th and 10th grades sit for Cambridge English exams, while the vocational guidance program from Grade 10 onwards helps them explore academic and professional pathways. This includes university fairs, career talks, and individualized tutoring.

Specialized support is provided through Spanish language reinforcement classes, ensuring that all students can thrive academically. The arts are a vibrant part of the curriculum, with annual events such as the School Festival showcasing dance and theater with Zionist themes, Art Week exhibitions, and a Talent Show celebrating music, performance, and creativity. Sports are equally valued, with teams achieving top-three finishes across all categories and long-running traditions like the Rikudim Festival promoting cultural engagement.

Enrichment & Student Life

A wide variety of extracurricular activities enrich student life, including volleyball, basketball, swimming, football, modern dance, yoga, French, arts and crafts, piano, and guitar. Students are encouraged to take part in competitions in debate, narrative, and public speaking (including TED Talks), as well as collaborative projects such as a student congress on the Shoah.

The School fosters leadership and responsibility through programs that connect older and younger students, such as having secondary pupils act as madrichim for Shacharit services. Social action is integral to the student experience, with initiatives ranging from supporting the elderly to fundraising for community causes and responding to humanitarian crises.

Innovation & Resource Sharing

Outstanding practices include the integration of students from diverse cultural and national backgrounds, and a strong system of personalized follow-up to ensure every learner’s success.

Educating for Life

Students benefit from a scheduled Tutoring period that addresses group topics as well as individual needs, involving collaboration between students, tutors, and families to ensure wellbeing. Entrepreneurship education is offered in specific courses, complemented by participation in technology conferences and hands-on company visits. STEM learning is supported through project-based activities, competitions, and technology integration across the curriculum.

Jewish Experience

Nearly all students participate in Jewish education, with daily prayer held in the School’s synagogue. The curriculum includes Hebrew language, Jewish history, traditions, and cultural identity. Students take part in the Israel Trip, the Hidon Ha-Tanach competition at European and global levels, and exchange programs with other Jewish communities.

The Judaic curriculum is built on three pillars: academic study of Hebrew, Torah, Jewish history, and traditions; non-formal education through the celebration of all Jewish holidays; and spiritual engagement through daily prayer. The School’s deep connection to Israel is seen as a natural part of its identity.

Global Citizenship

The School is active in programs that foster social and environmental responsibility, including the CADENA Project, the Boker Or program, and various social action initiatives involving High School students. Through these, pupils develop leadership, empathy, and a sense of shared responsibility toward both local and global communities.